Codes panel rejects apts. for Chesley Hill parcel

Friday

Mar 28, 2014 at 3:15 AM

By Liz Markhlevskayalmark@fosters.com

ROCHESTER — Members of the Codes and Ordinances Committee on Thursday unanimously rejected a zoning change on Chesley Hill Road that would allow apartments and other multifamily development in the neighborhood currently dominated by single-family homes.

The vote on came after multiple residents spoke out against the proposal to change the zoning of a 147-acre parcel, known as the Mitchell Hill property, located on Chesley Hill Road. The proposal was to change the parcel from R1 zone, which is geared toward single-family homes, to the R2 zone, which allows multifamily developments.

As part of the ongoing comprehensive rezoning project, the Planning Board has recommended rezoning the parcel to R2, after the property owner expressed interest in building 94 market price, cluster-style apartments on that land. According to Dover attorney Malcolm McNeill, if the parcel remains zoned R1, the developer could build as many as 98 single family homes in that area, leaving less open space.

During the committee’s public input session on the rezoning plan, Chesley Hill Road resident Mona Perreault said she was concerned that residents’ quality of life would be compromised with development of apartments in her neighborhood. She noted that zones with apartments typically attract more crime.

“We are protecting our own homes,” said Perreault about Chesley Hill Road residents speaking out against the zoning change.

Gregg Denobile, also of Chesley Hill Road, said he was pleased that the Codes and Ordinances Committee voted against rezoning of the property, stating development of apartments would likely lower the value of his property.

Also Thursday, the Codes and Ordinances Committee voted against rezoning of a parcel at the entrance of Labrador Drive, across from Rochester Crossing. The parcel, currently R1, was recommended for rezoning to the Neighborhood Mixed Use zone, which would allow small commercial developments such as convenience stores and laundromats.

While the Planning Board had recommended rezoning the Labrador Drive parcel to Neighborhood Mixed Use, the Codes and Ordinances Committee voted unanimously against that recommendation.

The committee’s recommendations will be voted on by the full City Council at a later date.